Pikes Peak – Climbing Notes
Pikes Peak – Climbing Notes
Pikes Peak Climbing notes shared by Mountain-Forecast users
Click here to submit your own climbing note for Pikes Peak
(NOTE: Texts may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
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August 30, 2021
T4TE from United States
Completed the summit hike up Barr trail on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Started at 7:45am, beautiful blue skies. Hit the base camp by late morning, just before 11am averaging about 22 min. per mile. The first 3 miles are challenging with the sun and the constant switch backs gaining 1600 feet in the first two miles. Miles 5 & 6 were a breeze with only about 300 feet of elevation gain, also my fastest time of the day (a 20.17 mile and a 19.39 mile). Stopped for lunch at Barr camp after ~6.5 miles at ~3600 feet elevation gain, and then the real challenge begins.
Mile times quickly ran up from to 27 min. up to 35-40 min. miles for the last two miles to the top. Started seeing clouds roll in around mile 9-10, I hit a small amount of snow/rain in the last 2-3 miles, which really slowed me down further. Winds picked up toward to the top with about 10-15mph gusts.
The last 2.5 miles are very hard when trying to knock out the entire trip in one sitting. Many steps are straight up, knee height, requiring more energy and self propulsion up the mountain. Arrived sub 7 hours, with an average pace of 29.46 miles per hour.
Welcomed the train ride down, $35, which you can pay for when you get down to the bottom, ~45 minute ride down.
Great views, great challenge, carried about 2 liters of water and a 0.5L of Gatorade. Bring salty food. Highly recommend starting as early as possible to avoid the afternoon rain that usually comes in. Mile markers are not to be fully trusted.
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February 27, 2021
Halfbomb from United States
I ran/hiked Crags, Devil's Playground trails in an attempt to summit yesterday. Temperature was 8° to start but wasn't bad. Parked at the gate then snowshoed to Crags Trailhead. I had to switch to microspikes shortly after, due to bare spots!
The trail was mostly packed with some post holing. The Devil's Playground trail was difficult to find above treeline, no markings! I made it to the auto road but the wind gusts picked up substantially to a point it blew me off my feet! Turned back a mile from summiting! Total bummer. Two attempts now, no summit.
The wind blown ground snow was piercing my face until back below the treeline. First attempt was up Barr several weeks ago. 2 Mike's from summit lost the trail again! Not marked well. Are there any cairns along the trail?
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February 04, 2019
James from United States
The Mountain is really steep. If you are not in shape, I suggest taking the cog or driving up. If you are not used to the high altitude, Please be careful and stay hydrated. As all ways, Have fun.
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December 27, 2017
Brad from United States
Dec 20, 2017
Went up from Crags and planned to descend on Barr but encountered very high winds above Devil’s Playground around 10am so decided to turn back as my son was having a hard time keeping from going airborne. One site said 70mph gusts at that time. It was sunny blue skies and a beautiful day, so such high winds were a surprise. It was perfectly calm below the tree line though so still a good day.
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December 11, 2017
Matt from United States
Rail is not running, prepare your own method of descent. Round trip on 12/9/17, beautiful weather, minimal snow with, some icy spots near the summit and near Barr Camp.
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April 03, 2015
Tom from United States
4/4 trip up Crags to Pikes Peak... Bring some traction device for your shoes, the approach trail was very icy. Lots of postholg if you veer off the trail.
(NOTE: Texts may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
T4TE from United States
Completed the summit hike up Barr trail on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Started at 7:45am, beautiful blue skies. Hit the base camp by late morning, just before 11am averaging about 22 min. per mile. The first 3 miles are challenging with the sun and the constant switch backs gaining 1600 feet in the first two miles. Miles 5 & 6 were a breeze with only about 300 feet of elevation gain, also my fastest time of the day (a 20.17 mile and a 19.39 mile). Stopped for lunch at Barr camp after ~6.5 miles at ~3600 feet elevation gain, and then the real challenge begins.
Mile times quickly ran up from to 27 min. up to 35-40 min. miles for the last two miles to the top. Started seeing clouds roll in around mile 9-10, I hit a small amount of snow/rain in the last 2-3 miles, which really slowed me down further. Winds picked up toward to the top with about 10-15mph gusts.
The last 2.5 miles are very hard when trying to knock out the entire trip in one sitting. Many steps are straight up, knee height, requiring more energy and self propulsion up the mountain. Arrived sub 7 hours, with an average pace of 29.46 miles per hour.
Welcomed the train ride down, $35, which you can pay for when you get down to the bottom, ~45 minute ride down.
Great views, great challenge, carried about 2 liters of water and a 0.5L of Gatorade. Bring salty food. Highly recommend starting as early as possible to avoid the afternoon rain that usually comes in. Mile markers are not to be fully trusted.
Halfbomb from United States
I ran/hiked Crags, Devil's Playground trails in an attempt to summit yesterday. Temperature was 8° to start but wasn't bad. Parked at the gate then snowshoed to Crags Trailhead. I had to switch to microspikes shortly after, due to bare spots!
The trail was mostly packed with some post holing. The Devil's Playground trail was difficult to find above treeline, no markings! I made it to the auto road but the wind gusts picked up substantially to a point it blew me off my feet! Turned back a mile from summiting! Total bummer. Two attempts now, no summit.
The wind blown ground snow was piercing my face until back below the treeline. First attempt was up Barr several weeks ago. 2 Mike's from summit lost the trail again! Not marked well. Are there any cairns along the trail?
James from United States
The Mountain is really steep. If you are not in shape, I suggest taking the cog or driving up. If you are not used to the high altitude, Please be careful and stay hydrated. As all ways, Have fun.
Brad from United States
Dec 20, 2017
Went up from Crags and planned to descend on Barr but encountered very high winds above Devil’s Playground around 10am so decided to turn back as my son was having a hard time keeping from going airborne. One site said 70mph gusts at that time. It was sunny blue skies and a beautiful day, so such high winds were a surprise. It was perfectly calm below the tree line though so still a good day.
Matt from United States
Rail is not running, prepare your own method of descent. Round trip on 12/9/17, beautiful weather, minimal snow with, some icy spots near the summit and near Barr Camp.
Tom from United States
4/4 trip up Crags to Pikes Peak... Bring some traction device for your shoes, the approach trail was very icy. Lots of postholg if you veer off the trail.
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